Blog

Since the COVID-19 Pandemic hit the Bay Area in March, Access Institute’s mental health providers have been on the front lines of the response to the crisis. In the past few weeks we have seen how the economic devastation, along with the isolation brought on by stay at home orders, has impacted the people who were already managing mental illness and economic vulnerability.

Many were marginally employed before and are unemployed now. Those who continue working today are employed in low-wage jobs, many of which offer only minimal safety protections. These are people who were isolated, anxious, and depressed before and are dramatically more so now. The demand for our services was tremendous prior to the crisis and has only grown, even as we moved our services on-line.

May is Mental Health Awareness Month and the timing could not be more appropriate. Never before has the mental health of so many been challenged. Access Institute is here to help meet this challenge because of your support.

New online support groups, free of charge, for ANYONE impacted by COVID-19 with a special emphasis on: Restaurant and hospitality workers, front line essential service workers and self-employed workers.

The elimination of fees and co-payments for those who lost jobs due to the Pandemic;

Additional sessions of therapy for adults, children, families, and seniors;

Additional case management services to assist in applications for health insurance; unemployment benefits; federal, state and local grants; and other social supports;

By coming together we will weather this crisis. Although we all continue to experience uncertainty, suffering, and loss, Access Institute will be here always to serve the most vulnerable among us. And we do it all with your support, which has never been more critical as we expand our services and build infrastructure to meet the growing need for mental health care – now and into the future.